Denver and the West

Denver financier, philanthropist Walt Imhoff dies at 82

Walt Imhoff, one of the giants in Denver's business and philanthropic circles, died Tuesday, apparently from natural causes. He was 82.

"He had just returned from the Bahamas, all healthy and happy," said his daughter-in-law, Patty Imhoff. "His assistant had spoken with him Monday and said that everything seemed fine. Then his housekeeper found him (Tuesday) morning. We are all reeling from the shock."

After receiving a bachelor of science degree in 1955 from what was then Regis College, Imoff joined Coughlin & Co. as an assistant vice president, leaving five years later to join Edward A. Hanifen and Norbert J. Samford in establishing Hanifen, Imhoff & Samford Inc.

In 1980, the name was changed to Hanifen, Imhoff; by then it was one of the Rocky Mountain's largest investment banking firms.

It merged with Stifel, Nicolaus in January 2000, and Imhoff served as managing director until retiring in 2007.

"If Walt was known in The Denver Post business pages for bond issuances, he was known in the community as a fundraiser for every charity of note," said the Rev. Michael Sheeran, who became president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities after retiring as president of Regis University. "He was a Regis University mainstay for over a quarter century. He donated money, he recruited trustees, he reminded alumni how much the school had done for him and for them, and he chaired the board of trustees." Imhoff was named Regis' Alumnus of the Year in 1997.

Advertisement

Walter F. Imhoff was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver on Aug. 7, 1931. His parents, Walter and Frances Barkhausen Imhoff, preceded him in death, as did his wives Mary Sheila Imhoff, who died Oct. 30, and Georgia Imhoff, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer on Sept. 6, 2009.

Five children survive: Theresa Schafer of New Jersey, Michael Imhoff of Greenwood Village, Robert Imhoff of Los Angeles, Stacy Ohlsson of Denver and Randy Ohlson of Littleton. Other survivors include son-in-law Charles Schafer and grandchildren Emily, Katie and Charlie Schafer; Katherine and Grace Imhoff; and Chelsea, Hannah and Cory Ohlson.

Their passion was for causes dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, in particular, the work of the Kempe Center.

Ren Cannon, chair of the Kempe Foundation board, describes Imhoff as "One of our most important champions, having served in nearly every capacity. It will be difficult to imagine life at Kempe without him." His service to Kempe included leading capital campaigns that raised $17 million.

Jamie Angelich often rode with him to meetings of the Kempe Foundation board.

"Walt was a true gentleman. Even when he was having trouble with his sciatica, he would insist on opening and closing the car door for me. And after Georgia died, he continued sending hand-written Christmas cards to their friends. That's the way she always did it and he wanted to continue the tradition she had started."

"I met Walter early in my career when he called me out of the blue and invited me to lunch," the mayor said in a statement. "During the lunch he made a profound impression on me and the importance of using my talents to help the most vulnerable. He was a powerful man in his presence and his compassion for our community, particularly for abused and neglected children.."

Imhoff is a 2011 inductee to the Colorado Business Hall of Fame. He also chaired the South Central District of the Securities Industry Association and served on the association's national board.

Then-Gov. Bill Owens appointed him to the Caring for Colorado board in 2001, the year after he received the Denver Mayor's Millennium Award in appreciation for contributions made to the city.

Rockies relief pitcher John Axford, who hasn't pitched for the team since last Wednesday, was forced to leave spring training camp after his 2-year-old son was bit by a rattlesnake twice in his right foot.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.

DETROIT (AP) — In a story March 27 about a 'Little Syria' exhibit going to Ellis Island, The Associated Press, due to incorrect information from the Arab American National Museum, erroneously reported the date the exhibit will open. Full Story